"Squadra Azzurra" is a hegemon in the women's category, triumphing in the German capital as well
The Italian women's national volleyball team wrote an unforgettable page in the history of the Universiade, winning the gold medal at the forum in Berlin with an simply unstoppable performance, reports the Italian sports electronic dailyivolleymagazine.net. "Squadra Azzurra," led by coach Carlo Parisi, convincingly defeated Japan in the final with a score of 3:1 (25:19, 21:25, 25:16, 25:14), completing a decisive run. Italy triumphed in all six matches, losing only one set throughout the entire tournament - in the final itself. This victory returns the Italian women to the highest step on the Universiade podium, an feat not seen since the 2009 edition in Belgrade, when they defeated hosts Serbia with 3:2. The path to gold was a true Italian "crescendo" of excitement and high-level performance. Italy opened the tournament with a 3:0 victory over the United States, followed by equally convincing wins against Chinese Taipei, Australia, Czech Republic, and Germany, before facing Japan in the final, where they showcased the team's talent and determination. Brazil took third place, defeating Germany 3:1 (25:23, 21:25, 25:15, 25:23) in the bronze medal match.
Coach Carlo Parisi, visibly emotional, commented: "We are definitely happy with this gold medal. This team delivered a remarkable performance, developing match after match throughout the tournament. Congratulations – especially to these wonderful girls who worked hard for so many months, and today's result is the culmination of all that dedication. I must thank Julio Velasco, who put me in the position to coach this national team, and the entire staff who have been working with me since April 7th. The help of each of them was invaluable, and the bond we created was fantastic: it allowed us to experience this important tournament with calmness." Middle blocker Benedetta Sartori also expressed her pride: "I am very proud of my team – this gold medal is the medal we deserve for the dedication we put into every training session and match since April. We knew that today – against Japan, it wouldn't be easy: it was a big battle and in the end we won. I am truly proud of this national team."
This victory is the culmination of months of hard work, dedication, and exceptional synergy between the players and the coaching staff. The women's national team demonstrated not only technical talent but also a winning mentality, capable of facing any challenge with determination and composure. The gold medal from the Universiade in Berlin is an achievement that marks the present of this team and lays the foundation for an even brighter future.
Photo:federvolley.it
